My not so exciting life....and other musings

It's hard to maintain

2007-10-09T23:50:00.000-05:00

I'm having a hard time keeping up with my five blogs, so I am going to concentrate on the major ones:
Jus Shar Designs
Neo Needlism
My MySpace

Free Hair Bow Instructions

2007-09-18T14:47:00.000-05:00

Girly Things has so graciously provided LOTS of instructions on making hair bows and several other items. For free!

Beaded Bobby Pins
Tied Tutu
Pacifier Clips
Bandana Dress

They killed Oscar...

2007-08-21T23:36:00.000-05:00

Officials at the facility would not reveal the cause of death, but did acknowledge rumors that the cat was becoming increasingly unpopular among the patients. One knowledgeable source - who agreed to speak with us on the condition of anonymity - confirmed increasing animosity toward the animal, and that a dented bedpan was found near the body.

Boyfriend caught in girlfriend's closet is paralyzed...

2007-08-19T14:10:00.000-05:00

Let this be a warning to all boys who sneak into their girlfriend's homes....
eeeeek

A man accused of shooting and paralyzing his daughter's boyfriend has been charged with first-degree battery and a terroristic act.

George David Reed, 48, of Highfill was arrested July 31 in the shooting of Michael Austin Guzman, 19.

Reed was charged Friday in Benton County Circuit Court and is free on a $150,000 bond. His arraignment is set for Sept. 10.

Authorities say Reed came home and found Guzman hiding in the closet of his 17-year-old daughter's bedroom. Police said Reed beat Guzman with a pool stick, then left the room to retrieve a gun. Guzman and his girlfriend blocked the bedroom door with a dresser, and Reed began shooting through the door, police said.

A bullet struck Guzman in the back and lodged in his spinal cord, fracturing three vertebrae. Doctors don't expect Guzman to regain any feeling or mobility below his waist, authorities said.

If convicted, Reed faces up to life in prison.

Early order discounts, fundraising, free gift certificates

2007-08-16T00:20:00.000-05:00

1) Reserve your spot before 9/1 on my custom order calendar, and receive 15% off any custom order.
2) I'm currently working on a project to raise funds for a good ol' boy from my home state of Maine. He has suffered a tragic injury, and is unfortunately without insurance.
3) Sign-up for my email newsletter, and be eligable for a free monthly $15 gift certificate EACH MONTH.

Contact me for more info.

What's It All Worth?

2007-08-14T17:14:00.000-05:00

How to price handmade goods...

I NEED to read this thoroughly. I never price my items appropriately.

Cut me a small break, people

2007-08-06T17:13:00.000-05:00

Or it could also be titled....Parents Need to Get Their Heads Out of their BLEEP.

originally posted: 2007-08-06

As the new school year approaches, more schools are requiring students to wear uniforms or otherwise restricting what they may wear - and parents are objecting.

Their complaint: The policies trample students' right of expression and parents' right to raise children without government interference, says Vickie Crager, founder of Asserting Parental Rights - it's Our Duty, a parents rights group that opposes school uniforms.....

"As a parent, we felt our rights were being violated," says Laura Bell. They have five children, ages 5 to 17.

The Bells' suit makes two claims: that the uniform requirement violates their children's constitutional right of free expression and that it violates the guarantee of a free public education. The Bells would have to pay $641 for five sets of pants and shirts required by the policy, Laura Bell says.

Schools first imported the British tradition of student uniforms to mark a student's social status, Brunsma says. Urban public schools began to adopt uniforms in the late 1980s to reduce social pressure from fashion-savvy students.

Most lawsuits against school uniforms fail, says David Hudson, a First Amendment scholar at the First Amendment Center in Nashville. Judges usually decide that uniform policies are meant to improve schools and not to suppress student speech, he says.

Other lawsuits are pending:
--Bayonne, N.J. A group of parents have appealed a dismissal of their challenge to a uniform requirement of khaki bottoms and navy tops. Their lawyer plans to file a case brief Aug. 13. A judge ruled last year that the suit was not filed in time. School officials have said the uniforms foster school spirit, self-respect and self-discipline.

--Napa County, Calif. On July 2, a judge temporarily banned the enforcement of a middle school dress code while a suit challenging its constitutionality heads to trial. Under the code, students may wear only solid-color clothing with no logos or stripes. The code was designed to eliminate gang insignia, says Mike Pearson, principal of Redwood Middle School.....

"We perceive it as an educational fad," says Ashley Crownover, the group's spokeswoman. She says research does not support claims that uniforms increase safety or improve academic performance.

"We expect our school systems to do a lot, but this is taking it too far," she says. "That's my job - to help my children learn what is and isn't appropriate clothing."

And what do I have to saw about that last sentence? Then DO IT!

Welcome Jennifer Danielle Duggar!

2007-08-03T15:18:00.000-05:00

The super-sized Duggar family of Springdale, Arkansas, just got a little bigger with the birth of baby number 17 on August 2, 2007. Jennifer Danielle was born at 10:01 AM (CT), weighing in at 8 pounds, 8 ounces and measuring 21 inches in length.

Parents Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar happily welcome Jennifer Danielle to their amazing brood of 10 boys and six girls: Joshua, 19; Jana and John David, 17; Jill, 16; Jessa, 14; Jinger, 13; Joseph, 12; Josiah, 10; Joy-Anna, 9; Jeremiah and Jedidiah, 8; Jason, 7; James, 6; Justin, 4; Jackson, 3; and Johanna, 21 months.

"We are so grateful to God," said Michelle Duggar. "Jennifer is so precious and beautiful and such a sweet gift."

When asked about the possibility of more children, Jim Bob said, "We would certainly be open to having more children. The girls want to catch up with the boys now."

Viewers can catch up on two of Discovery Health's previous Duggar family specials, RAISING 16 CHILDREN and ON THE ROAD WITH 16 CHILDREN, at 8 and 9 PM (ET/PT) respectively, on Monday, August 6, 2007. In September, the next Discovery Health special featuring the oversized Duggar clan will premiere, and will include footage of Jennifer Danielle shortly after the birth and at home with the family.

RAISING 16 CHILDREN
Airs at 8 PM (ET/PT) on Monday, August 6, 2007
Revisit Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar, and their 15 children, with another on the way. This sequel to 14 CHILDREN AND PREGNANT AGAIN! catches up with the growing family as they manage daily life. With organizational skills that would challenge any CEO, Michelle and Jim Bob home-school their youngsters, manage everyday illnesses, bumps and bruises and shepherd youngsters to music lessons, church groups and sports events. All this as they build a new and larger home with sweat equity and no debt.

ON THE ROAD WITH 16 CHILDREN
Airs at 9 PM (ET/PT) on Monday, August 6, 2007
The white lines of the highway disappear into the lonely Southwestern landscape. From the back of the RV, a child's voice asks that classic question, "Are we there yet?" Now multiply that question 16 times! Discovery Health takes the Duggar family on the road. From the detailed planning and packing to the astonished looks of strangers, the Duggar's road trip promises to be a wild ride. We've seen their mastery over the predictable daily schedule. Now see how they do when they have to make it up on the fly!

OH, the pain

2007-07-29T16:35:00.001-05:00

I did this Friday night on my youngest son's shoe (he was wearing it at the time). I've never hurt my feet this badly...been in so much pain from stubbing a toe.

Are we trying to buy our kid's self-worth?

2007-07-25T21:59:00.000-05:00

I found some interesting articles online about this.

- An inability to stay satisfied is arguably one of the key reasons ancient man moved out of his drafty cave and began building the civilization you now inhabit. But you're not living in a cave, and you likely don't have to worry about mere survival.

- If you want to know how to use the money you have to become happier, you need to understand just what it is that brings you happiness in the first place. And that's where the newest happiness research comes in.

- Our preoccupation with stuff obscures an important truth: The things that don't last create the most lasting happiness. Compare the pleasure you get from the most recent things you've bought vs. the experiences (a night out, a vacation) you spent money on. "In your memory, you're free to embellish and elaborate."

- Experts say kids are likely to cultivate a strong taste for consumerism when moms and dads aren't careful with gift-giving and responding to their child's requests. Too often, they say, time-strapped parents are paying off their kids, and too often, parents are simply failing to say no.

- Common sense tells us that parents who continually treat their children with showy birthday parties and extravagant gifts, and frequently cave in to their demands are on the road to raising spoiled children. Likewise, when parents don't help their sons and daughters understand peer pressure and advertising, the kids will probably develop a hearty appetite for materialism.

- Psychologists have observed how families that spend too much time pursuing the badges of prestige, whether they are consumer goods or career goals, are likely to develop strained relationships. Kids become lonely, depressed, and angry when parents give them material items instead of their attention. Others have found that materialistic teens tend to be more self-centered and usually have more problems with anxiety, physical ailments, and drug and alcohol abuse.

- "Kids get more and expect more because of the lingering guilt on the part of the parents about not spending enough time with their children." "Parents try to assuage the guilt by purchasing the child's affection and to a certain extent, silence." Preventing the many effects of materialism means parents and children must get their cravings under control.

- "If we buy on impulse, overextend our credit, shop for recreation, or are always pursuing the latest model car or gadget, it will be very hard to talk credibly to our children about wanting too much."

- One way to prevent self-centeredness among children and cure it once it has begun is by families regularly helping people who are less privileged. "Young people by nature are egocentric." "Parents need to make an intentional effort making kids more sensitive to the needs of others." Helping disadvantaged people teaches that money carries certain obligations, but also teaches kids about the pleasures of giving.

- "Stressing personal growth and self expression will help a child focus more on inward experiences and less on trying to find satisfaction in external objects." If a child is taught to value self expression, he or she will quickly become bored with shopping for most consumer items. "You can't express yourself through a Nintendo game."

- Raising less materialistic children requires that parents are vigilant in counteracting the barrage of messages that encourage kids to focus on their own desires. This means teaching kids and parents to find joy in themselves and in other people—not on the shelf at the store. "People don't remember going to an expensive theme park or receiving an expensive gift." "It's doing simple things together—like going fishing, telling stories, or going for a car ride—that leave a lasting impression. Parents need to understand the most precious gift they give their children is their time."

Hairspray - the movie

2007-07-21T19:12:00.000-05:00

My 11 yr old DD loved it!

She's a ample gal herself, so I assume she saw something in Tracy Turnblad that empowered her. At any rate, she now wants Tracy's hairstyle from the end of the movie for BTS. It's not this one here...you'll have to see the movie to see what I am talking about.

Should a 10 yr old have a cell?

2007-07-20T18:09:00.000-05:00

Interesting read.
I TOTALLY agree with what this mom said:

“At this age, he is always in the company of adults,” says Mary, who asked that her last name not be used. “He can use their phone if he needs to call me.” Her son started asking for a cell phone when he was 8. “In third grade a few kids in his class got them. Some of their parents just got them to stop the begging.

“It’s just the possession du jour. He’ll want an iPhone next,” Mary says.

Back-To-School......practicality

2007-07-18T14:33:00.000-05:00

I just did a search for handcrafted boutique BTS items for girls on eBay. Just the clothes, mind you.

And then I put further stipulations on my search. The clothes had to be practical for what goes on in the daily life of a school-aged child. My daughter doesn't wear skirts because she is very active, and I'd have to put shorts on under her skirts. Would the outfit hold up? If it got torn, stained, or otherwise marred....would the outfit by ruined? Would I be upset about the amount of money lost on this outfit?

So, with all that in mind I set out to find a practical handcrafted BTS outfit for a school-aged child that you'd actually see at school, that is under $50. Here is what I found:

Custom Boutique A2Z BTS OOAK ALTB CBD BDSS UBDB

lighthouse_outlet has a slew of "tops" that fit the bill.

TheGallery BTS Boutique TEEN Camo Bandana Tribal Tee

SPORT THEMED SWING TOP TCL Boutique Custom 5 6/6X BTS

Boutique BWILD Custom Cherry Ribbon Jeans Top BTS BCMM
If your school district won't allow these types of tops, you could certainly wear a s/s tee under it.

Boutique RNB Custom BTS Fall School Reading Tee 2-6

TheChicks Boutique BTS Cherry decoupage Custom 5 6

BTS 5 6 custom OOAK boutique vintage Cherry jeans set

There were LOADS of adorable items listed! This was my search criteria. Your search criteria could be completely different from mine, and would therefore bring about different results.

I just discovered something....

2007-07-10T15:17:00.000-05:00

I may be late to this, but I have discovered that I can watch past episodes of ABC shows. Not all of them, mind you, but enough to make me happy!

Click here to start watching!

Just because there is a pattern for it....

2007-07-08T16:28:00.000-05:00

....doesn't mean you should make it.

What Not To Crochet
What Not To Knit

Is this being played out today?

2007-06-30T17:38:00.000-05:00

1 Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.
2 Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.
3 Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts.
4 Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavours: give them after the work of their hands; render to them their desert.
5 Because they regard not the works of the LORD, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up.
6 Blessed be the LORD, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications.
7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.
8 The LORD is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed.
9 Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up for ever.
Psalm 28

Which do you feed?

2007-06-28T09:13:00.000-05:00

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on
inside people.

He said, "My son, the battle is between two "wolves" inside us all.

One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance,
self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority,
and ego.

The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility,
kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather:
"Which wolf wins?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

Mama Ain't Playin'

2007-06-28T00:40:00.000-05:00

Be sure to see all 3 pictures.

Don't mess with her...
We need more people like her...
YOU GO MOM !!!

Daddy-Daughter dance pics

2007-06-17T18:59:00.000-05:00

I'm so happy she still wants to do this with her daddy. I know that my husband really looks forward to this every year. He takes her out for supper too.

I feel badly for the boys that'll come along wanting to date her someday. They have a lot to live up to. Of course, they'll probably never treat her as good as her daddy does.

Oh, where does the time go........

MP3s, big-hair bands, and contemporary Christian

2007-06-04T22:36:00.000-05:00

I'm sure I'm not the only one who does this, but I plug my MP3 player into my laptop as I work, 'pute, and surf. I don't use headphones, and I sing out loud, people.

My husband got me both eletronic gadgets, but I REALLY love the MP3 player. Got it for my birthday in January. My 15 yr old son showed me where to get music, and off I went loading music. What a trip down memory lane that was! I went to high school in the early 80's, and was really into big-hair bands and 80's rock in general. I have to admit that I still am. Winger, Slaughter, Def Leppard, Aldo Nova, Nick Kershaw, the Astley brothers (seperately), and on it goes. I have some current and 90's rock mixed in for good measure.

Then there is my contemporary Christian music. I love the old hymns, but I think the contemporary music is great for getting the kids interested in church and religion. And I'm all for that. In fact, my above-mentioned son plays guitar for our church's youth band. He's such a rebel, but at least he has a cause.

I just love music....most all kinds. And I love to sing. I don't sing too badly either. I still won't join the choir at church, but here in my livingroom alone with the cat curled up next to me is ok.

Oh my word!

2007-06-02T16:14:00.000-05:00

Details

Girl, I love your blog but....

2007-05-31T22:35:00.000-05:00

There is a blog I visit. I honestly don't know why I keep going there. It's like rubber-necking an accident on the side of the road. There is SO much nastiness and ugly behavior coming from what we can only assume is grown women. At least that's the demographic it appeals to.

I have no issues with the "owner" of the blog. She had a good idea when she started it. And I appreciate what she's been able to bring to the surface of the community it's visitors belong to. It's been VERY eye-opening.

What I just can't understand is the inane, nameless comments where people stand behind anonymity and rip others to shreds. What kind of person feels that they are fully justified in making another human being feel like they are worthless? What kind of person uses their computer to terrorise an entire group of people? What kind of person feels that the ugliness that lives in their minds really needs to be put down and documented on a blog? What kind of person is so desperate for self-importance that they accuse and threaten without the backbone to sign their name?

I'm not saying there should be blanket censorship. However, we all live with a level of censorship every day. We each know that there are ways we act at home, that wouldn't carry over to church, the grocery store, or work. We also self-limit ourselves to things we don't want to hear, see, or know.

I understand one benefit (or purpose, if you will) of anonymous posting. Now that I've seen how evil some of these women can be, it's no wonder some people don't want anyone to know how they really feel. It most certainly would alter people's perceptions and (dare I say it) buying habits if they knew how downright mean some people were. Would you want to buy from someone that sought to break people down on a daily basis? I think not.

Anonymous posting is overly abused though. It's not used to protect the innocent anymore. It's main purpose seems to be to protect and support people who can't articulate their point in such a way that it is not demeaning to the whole. It just makes the weak-kneed bullies look ignorant, and it takes all the air out of their over-inflated callous comments.

They risk their lives, and in return they get.....

2007-05-29T13:31:00.000-05:00

To Iraq & Back: Bob Woodruff
Jim Nicholson with Bob Woodruff of ABC News
Countdown Walter Reed Medical Report
Walter Reed: A National Disgrace

I'm having one of those months...

2007-05-24T11:47:00.000-05:00

...I can't seem to do or say anything right to please anyone.

I'm not being mean to anyone at all just honest and observant, but someone inevitably takes it the wrong way. It could be said by someone else and no one would be offended. It's a I-feel-like-I-can't-win situation.

My oldest son feels like the whole world (adults, that is) is out to get him. We all have some ulterior motive to make him miserable. Is this what 16 looks like? I'd rather raise babies for the rest of my life than teenagers.

My creating mojo has left the building. I want to make things but my last eBay item sold on Jan 3! What's up with that? I don't make junk - my Etsy and eBay feedback say so.

This past weekend I took part in a community sale. I SOLD NOTHING. I have a big show coming up in July. I'm wondering why I'm bothering to go. It's a lot of work to not make a dime. I've diversified, I've made new and different things, I've done research to see what the market is wanting...and nothing I've done works.

Now that I have all that out, I think I'm done with my pity party. I just don't know where to turn next.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6

Beth needs

2007-05-21T11:42:00.000-05:00

Found this on the Vintage Pearl’s blog.

Google your name with the word "needs" after it and see what comes up. Here is what came up when I googled "Beth needs":

1. Beth needs to come chill.
2. Beth needs to realize that she has a problem
3. Beth needs teeth
4. Beth needs to look within at what she is believing about her weight...
5. Beth needs to...
6. Beth Needs to be banned from Aruba.
7. Beth needs a first-floor bedroom

My responses:
1. I do need to chill at times. Just look at this blog entry to know more.
2. I do have problems from time to time, and I would say that 9-times-out-of-10 I know it.
3. I have my teeth, but I do need to see about having a couple of cracked one’s capped.
4. I’m not in denial about my weight. I believe whole-heartedly that I am pleasingly plump.
5. Involves illegal substances…won’t take part
6. That’s ok, because I don’t even want to go there.
7. I DO have a first-floor bedroom. What I need is a first-floor sewing studio

Wendy tagged me....

2007-05-14T19:47:00.000-05:00

I've never been tagged before, so this is fun. I'm doing this with a 100+ temp, but I'm an old warhorse, and it takes a lot to keep me down. :-)

I had to come up with seven (7) random facts about myself.

I am the grand-daughter of Justin L. Williams. He passed a bit ago, but he was a bridge (cards) and hunting campion of L.L. Bean himself. My grampy also introduced L.L. to the duck call(s) that eventually became a part of their line. He was also a tester for the popular Maine Hunting Boot.

My oldest son was a competitive gymnast for SEVERAL years. I was trained as a USAG Jr. Olympic Men's Gymnastics Judge, but I never pursued it. Should have though...it's good money for a weekend's worth of work.

I went to school to become a Computer Network Engineer. I was on the college's honor society, but I didn't pursue that as my career as I'm more of a free spirit than that. I want to create. I am a substitue teacher at Calvary Baptist Academy in central IL.

I am a Christian women who abolutely loves my Lord! I think more of Him than I do myself. I sincerely feel sorry for those who don't have a relationship with Him. I can't imagine going through my life not acknowleging and loving Him.

My mother went to grade school with thrill author Stephen King. Also, the Danny in the book Carrie is based on my cousin Danny Patrick....my mother's maternal 1st cousin. And Mabel (Birdie) Marston in Salem's Lot is based on my mom and Danny's aunt.

I LOVE to create. I am particularly fond of knitting and crocheting. I sell on eBay and Etsy, as well as my website.

I am a heart patient. I had open-heart surgery when I was seven (7) yrs old in Portland, ME. I had a coarctation of the Aorta. I do have to take blood pressure meds, but other than that it gives me no problems at all. Not even my Mitro-Valve Prolapse.

I'm tagging
Get Carried Away
The Pink Cottage
My Little Cuddlebugs
Happy House Quilts
Fiddle Stitches
Seaside Quilts
Trendy Tatters
One Girlie Girl
Now they have to come up with seven random things about themselves.

ailing, ill, indisposed, peaked, run-down, sickened, unwell, infirm, sickly, afflicted, debilitated, out-of-sorts, under-the-weather

2007-05-14T00:16:00.000-05:00

in other words, temporarily suffering from a disorder of the body.

I've come down with a cold, I think. Sore throat, sinus pain, and a horrid barking cough. I'm drinking Thera-flu because it claims to rid this ol' girl of her symptoms. It's not happening yet...even after a couple of mugs of it today.

Not how I wanted to spend my Mother's day, but it is what it is.

I did have a lovely dinner (bbq ribs, wings, slaw, catfish, and pecan pie). And my gifts were perfect for me. Hubby got me planter boxes for the front deck, and the plants/flowers to put in them. My mom got me my Marilyn Miglin 112 gift pack. I LOVE this stuff.

A new week starts with temps threatening to soar well into the high 80's. And I will probably be in my bed whoa-ing and being pitiful. At least the cat can overlook my pitifullness. She'll be curled up with me.

Happy Mother's Day

2007-05-13T01:30:00.000-05:00

By the time the Lord made mothers, he was into his sixth day of working overtime. An Angel appeared and said "Why are you spending so much time on this one"?

And the Lord answered and said, "Have you seen the spec sheet on her? She has to be completely washable, but not plastic, have 200 movable parts, all replaceable, run on black coffee and leftovers, have a lap that can hold three children at one time and that disappears when she stands up, have a kiss that can cure anything from a scraped knee to a broken heart, and have six pairs of hands."

The Angel was astounded at the requirements for this one. "Six pairs of hands! No Way!", said the Angel.

The Lord replied, "Oh, it's not the hands that are the problem. It's the three pairs of eyes that mothers must have!"

"And that's just on the standard model?" the Angel asked.

The Lord nodded in agreement, "Yep, one pair of eyes are to see through the closed door as she asks her children what they are doing even though she already knows. Another pair in the back of her head, are to see what she needs to know even though no one thinks she can. And the third pair are here in the front of her head. They are for looking at an errant child and saying that she understands and loves him or her without even saying a single word."

The Angel tried to stop the Lord. "This is too much work for one day. Wait until tomorrow to finish."

"But I can't!" The Lord protested, "I am so close to finishing this creation that is so close to my own heart. She already heals herself when she's sick AND can feed a family of six on a pound of hamburger and can get a nine year old to stand in the shower. "

The Angel moved closer and touched the woman, "But you have made her so soft, Lord."

"She is soft," the Lord agreed, "but I have also made her tough. You have no idea what she can endure or accomplish."

"Will she be able to think?", asked the Angel.

The Lord replied, "Not only will she be able to think, she will be able to reason, and negotiate."

The Angel then noticed something and reached out and touched the woman's cheek. "Oops, it looks like you have a leak with this model. I told you that you were trying to put too much into this one."

"That's not a leak." The Lord objected. "That's a tear!"

"What's the tear for?" the Angel asked.

The Lord said, "The tear is her way of expressing her joy, her sorrow, her disappointment, her pain, her loneliness, her grief, and her pride."

The Angel was impressed. "You are a genius, Lord. You thought of everything; for mothers are truly amazing!"

~by Erma Bombeck~

Things to ponder

2007-05-07T22:34:00.000-05:00

Can you cry under water?

How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?

Why do you have to "put your two cents in".. but it's only a "penny for your thoughts"? Where's that extra penny going to?

Why does a round pizza come in a square box?

What disease did cured ham actually have?

How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?

Why is it that people say they "slept like a baby" when babies wake up like every two hours?

Why are you IN a movie, but you're ON TV?

Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?

Why do doctors leave the room while you change? They're going to see you naked anyway.

Why is "bra" singular and "panties" plural?

Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat?

Can a hearse carrying a corpse drive in the carpool lane ?

If the professor on Gilligan's Island can make a radio out of a coconut, why can't he fix a hole in a boat?

Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours? They're both dogs!

If Wile E. Coyote had enough money to buy all that ACME crap, why didn't he just buy dinner?

If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, what is baby oil made from?

If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?

Do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same tune?

Did you just try singing the two songs above?

I have seen far too much hatred lately

2007-05-07T13:52:00.000-05:00

Why is there so much hate?

People generally have high standards for themselves. So, when they don't meet their expectations, they don't lower their standards. They instead change how they see themselves so that where they are lacking isn't so apparent to themselves.

This may work for awhile, but eventually what ends up happening is that we find our faults in others. Our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that we don't like in ourselves we can suddently easily see in others. And we find fault with those people.

Why do we do this? It's simple, really. We can't accept these things about ourselves, and therefore can't accept the people with the same qualities reminding us that we fall short of the perfection we seek. So we get angry at them, and then somehow assume the anger is coming from them directed as us. Crazy, isn't it? It's called PROJECTION, people.

Main Entry: pro·ject
Function: verb
- to attribute (one's own ideas, feelings, or characteristics) to other people or to objects

"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

How to stay modest in warmer weather

2007-05-02T20:34:00.000-05:00

Modest Clothing Dirctory
Modest Swimwear Solutions
Ohanas Swimwear
This is just a sampling of what is available just by searching.

Poor little, Raven Chenille

2007-04-27T16:47:00.000-05:00

My DD11 was holding our furbaby last night and found that her left "thumb" was red and angry-looking. I decided to take her to the vet's today to have it checked. Here she is with her collar, 10 days worth of antibiotics, and $105 later....she is so thrilled with her new look. NOT.

What I can do for others

2007-04-25T07:46:00.000-05:00

Knit For Charity
Crochet For Charity
Sew For Charity

How Cluttered is Your Mind?

2007-04-20T10:53:00.000-05:00

Your Mind is 65% Cluttered

Your mind is quite cluttered. And like most clutter, it's a bunch of crap you don't need.
Try writing down your worst problems and fears. And then put them out of your mind for a while.

How Cluttered is Your Mind?

This is NOT news to me. Sad, isn't it?

15 Minute Cleanups for Every Room

2007-04-20T07:35:00.000-05:00

I've decided that this weekend we'll be doing this. My kids are a tad miffed, but it needs to be done. There's nothing like a clean home, and opening the windows to allow the spring breezes to flow through and air out a stale house.

Here's the link.

Thank you Sarah Aquirre for this GREAT info!

What a 15 Minute Cleanup Is:
A 15 Minute Cleanup is a brief step-by-step guide to cleaning a room in 15 minutes or less. While the room may not be white glove clean, it will be presentable to guests. 15 Minute Cleanups are a great way to maintain a home in between more thorough cleanings. These cleanups include step-by-step instructions, a list of supplies, tips, and links for more thorough information.
What a 15 Minute Cleanup Isn’t:
A 15 Minute Cleanup is not the only cleaning regimen you’ll need to keep your home in tip top shape. It’s not an intense cleaning, but only a brief pickup of a room. To really keep a home clean, more thorough work will need to be done according to your cleaning schedule. Before intensely cleaning a room, it’s a good idea to start with that room's quick 15 Minute Cleanup.

The Cleanups:
This cleanup can work for formal and informal living areas and sitting areas. It also works for formal dining rooms, and other rooms where entertaining is done. The idea with this cleanup is to get the room ready for guests, or events without spending a lot of time on the details.

The kitchen cleanup aims to remove trash, dirty dishes, and unwanted items from a kitchen, making it ready to be used, or in good shape for guests to be around. While you won’t scrub out the refrigerator, or clean under the sink in this cleanup, you will remove any offending trash and dishes, making your kitchen clean and clutter free.

The bathroom cleanup helps you quickly organize and wipe down bathroom surfaces. This cleanup will work to maintain your weekly bathroom scrub down, or get a bathroom ready in a hurry when unexpected guests show up.

This kid’s room cleanup is great for parents at a loss for where to begin when faced with a disaster area child’s room. It’s also perfect for older readers who can actually follow the list themselves to get their rooms clean. Print it off for them and watch as an all day chore turns into a 15 minute miracle.

Like many people, I usually leave cleaning my own bedroom for last. After a busy day or week, a bedroom can be in terrible shape. This cleanup will help maintain a bedroom or give it a quick pickup just in time for a restful night.

Why A 15 Minute Cleanup Works:

A 15 Minute Cleanup works because it recognizes that there are three types of items we need to clean up in a room. Everything falls into one of three categories...

Trash
Things that don't belong in the room
Things that belong in the room, in a different place

Having only a few categories to sort items into makes a pickup run more smoothly. The 15 Minute Cleanups also work because they are designed to maintain a room. Having a 15 Minute Cleaning session in a room several times a week will keep your home looking great between more intense cleanings.

Do you know your legal rights?

2007-04-18T17:24:00.000-05:00

"Christians have more freedom to witness in public schools and share the Gospel with co-workers than many would like them to believe! Last month, our attorneys won several significant cases that demonstrate just how far some school officials and employers will go to enforce a "religion free zone." We absolutely depend on the prayers of God's people to undergird and support our efforts to defend the religious liberties necessary to spread the Gospel across America. " -CHRISTIAN LAW ASSOCIATION

- Christian Schools Legally Threatened for Disciplining Students:
Pray for a Christian school in DELAWARE that is dealing with the difficult issue of disciplining a student. Please also pray for discipline issues involving graduating seniors in Christian schools all across the country as these issues regularly arise nationwide at the end of the school year.

- CLA is helping students nationwide.Praise the Lord that, with help from CLA, a junior high student in KENTUCKY is being permitted to leave the classroom when her history class is exposed to inappropriate pictures. Pray that this school will discontinue its policy of permitting such obscene material in the classroom.Pray for students who ride a school bus in NEW YORK and who were told by their bus monitor they were not permitted to talk about religion on the bus. Pray for students at a public school in NORTH CAROLINA who want to start a second Bible Club, but their principal is claiming that one religious club is enough. Attorneys for CLA are assisting the students.

- CLA Helps Teachers PrayPraise the Lord that after consulting with attorneys for CLA, teachers in one NORTH CAROLINA public school are able to meet together after school for prayer and Bible study. Their principal wanted to permit them to form the group, but was unsure whether it would be legal.

- One Voice Can Make a Difference:Praise the Lord for a good outcome when a public school teacher in TEXAS complained about being required to monitor elementary students as they watched horror movies during school hours and without parental permission. Because of this teacher’s courageous objections, the principal has cancelled the movies.

- Teachers Instructed to Protect Religious Students’ RightsPraise the Lord that a public school principal in PENNSYLVANIA used material provided by CLA to train all the school’s teachers to protect the religious liberty rights of students. The teachers were very excited to receive this information since they had been totally unaware of the law in this area prior to their training session.

I am Marianne Dashwood

2007-04-16T17:41:00.000-05:00

Take the Quiz here!

You are Marianne Dashwood of Sense & Sensibility! You are impulsive, romantic, impatient, and perhaps a little to vocal in your honesty. You enjoy romantic poetry and novels, and play the pianoforte beautifully. To boot, your singing voice is captivating. You feel deeply, and love passionately.

Sometimes you just feel like you need a change

2007-04-12T07:25:00.000-05:00

My middle child, DS15, decided that last night was just that kind of time. I miss his curls, but his head is so soft and fuzzy now. :-)

He wanted a mohawk, but we decided against that. MAYBE this summer we'll let him try one. Maybe...

My new family

2007-04-10T10:23:00.000-05:00

Ok, I have to show you pictures of my new family.

My sister, Karyn, got engaged in February to Pat. He has three kids, and they are just adorable. I FINALLY get to be an auntie. Pat and Karyn are getting married in August 2008. She's reading every bride magazine she can get her hands on.

I don't know how much we'll actually get to see of them due to the fact that they live in California, and we are in the midwest; BUT at least we have pictures. And, we hope to relocate to California once the boys are done with high school. That's the plan anyway.

And here are two more:

A day in the life of ME

2007-04-09T14:25:00.000-05:00

As you can see, I am making progress on my ripple blanket. This one is going to be baby-size, and it will be sold.

The Boutique Hooks and Needles launch started today. There aren't that many items up as many of our members have gotten bogged down with life. As I have said many times before....life get's in the way of what we really want to be doing.

I've also been in my sewing room for most of the morning. I have a launch at the middle of May I am preparing for. I have two of the three outfits done, but the third is just not turning out like I had envisioned it. I had knit up two items for outfit number three, but scrapped them when I couldn't find the "perfect" top for it. I don't know what to do with those two handknit items now....sell them without a top? Maybe.

The SoBella guest launch started today. I'm in that one too. I have one item up now, but I'll be adding at least one more as time allows.

This week in general is going to be hectic. Last week tested every one of my nerves, so I'm hopeful that this week I'll be on the upswing of things. Thank goodness the Lord doesn't give me more than He can handle.

I rec'd an interesting call this morning. Honestly, I didn't even catch her name. They are doing road repairs down the street and it caused interference with my cell phone. ANYWAY. She started to relay to me a story of her father having hip replacement surgery, and subsequently coming down with MRSA. Sound familiar? She apparently did a web search on MRSA and found this blog, and my story about my mom's surgery. And I'm so glad she did. I was able to tell her of my mom's experience, and I think I was able to calm her concerns a bit. If she is reading this I hope she let's me know how things work out for her dad.

I have to take DS #2 to get more labwork after school. He had some done on Thursday, but apparently his Creatinine numbers were off. Today is for a re-check just to make sure it wasn't a fluke that the numbers were high. He has band practice this evening (he has a youth band at church), and his father and I have an appt this evening. It's going to be interesting to see if we all get to where we are supposed to be at the allotted time.

And speaking of.....I need to go pick up my kids from school. Let the race begin!

Maine

2007-04-06T23:55:00.000-05:00

I am obsessed with the state of Maine. I wasn't born there, but I AM from Maine. No where else I've ever lived has felt like home to me. We moved away when my 11 yr old DD was only five months old. It seems like forever....

Maine has been on my mind a lot lately. I'm not exactly sure why, but I SO want to be there now. With every fiber of my being.

My mother and sister live in California. My grandparents have all passed away. I do have an aunt (mom's SIL), a great aunt (who doesn't know me from Adam) , and various cousins who still live there; but there really isn't a compelling reason for me to return. The economy isn't the greatest, and the winters are bitter. Yet, I yearn to drive the Maine Turnpike, and drink a Moxie while eating a whoopie pie (after I've had my italian, of course). In all honesty, I can't stand Moxie, but I know several people who just love it.

Sometimes when I'm missing Maine a lot, I'll listen to one of my Tim Sample tapes and laugh until I cry. Sometimes all it takes is sitting down with one of Stephen King's books to curb the Maine hunger. And then there is my collection of Maine cookbooks assembled by churches, granges, auxiliaries, and other assorted groups to recall my favorite Maine recipes.

I hope it is the good Lord's Will to have me return to live in my beloved Maine one day. If it's not, I have a lifetime of fond memories and photos to cherish. Like the photo above of South Freeport Harbor at Harraseeket Lunch & Lobster Co. in Freeport, Maine.

Ripplin' Along

2007-04-04T12:26:00.000-05:00

One of my most favorite blogs to visit is Alicia Paulson's. It's complete eye candy!

ANYWAY...she's been crocheting up a storm lately, and I've enjoyed watching her progress. Today I decided to stop watching, and do something. She's inspired me (and the 50* temp. drop) to start making some afghans. I've started on a pink and black ripple 'ghan. I love granny squares, but mine don't look half as nice as hers.

My digital's batteries are charging, so I'll post some WIP pictures later.

8:46 PM - Batteries are charged, so here is a picture (above).

'Secret Mark' Gospel & The Lost Tomb of Christ

2007-03-31T23:23:00.000-05:00

Imagine the discovery of a previously unknown Gospel of Mark, a secret text suppressed by church authorities that pictured Jesus initiating his disciples with a hallucinatory, nocturnal and quite possibly homosexual rite. Imagine the headlines, the four-alarm book promotion and the cable network special.
Read the rest...

As for the lost tomb, I agree with this commentary.

I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.
He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen. Revelation 22:18-21

April showers bring May flowers, May flowers bring

2007-03-28T12:02:00.000-05:00

craft shows. I wanted to say Pilgrims, but I fought the urge.

I have some coming up. I'm really new to the whole craft show circuit, but I do enjoy doing them. I don't make a lot of money, but I love watching all the people that come through, and I enjoy talking to them about what I do.

August 18, 2007 - 4th annual Downtown Festival of the Arts, Champaign, IL
July 28, 2007 - Hudson Prairie Days, Hudson, IL
May 5, 2007 - NCWHS Band Craft Show, Normal, IL CANCELLED

Hey, if any one of you reading this plans on attending, look me up!

Some fun facts about me....

2007-03-19T17:12:00.000-05:00

Favorite color: White. It's a clean slate, and you can do whatever you want with it.
Favorite food: Chinese & Thai
Favorite restaurant: I like so many. I like a good steakhouse. Seafood too.
Favorite snack: Tortilla chips and salsa/sour cream dip
Favorite ice cream: Anything with chocolate and nuts. Toffee would be even better
Favorite Candy: I don't like candy
Favorite veggie: I'm quite partical to green veggies
Favorite drinks: Diet Pepsi or water
Favorite Perfume: Marilyn Miglin 112
Favorite season: Fall and Winter
Favorite Holiday: Christmas
Favorite Movie: Gone With The Wind, Radio, quite a few indie films too
Favorite Music: Contemporary Christian
Favorite Channels: HGTV, Hallmark, TNT, ABC, NBC
Favorites shows: Medium, House, Law & Order, mornings on HGTV, MASH
Favorite soap: I haven't watched soaps in AGES, but when I did I faithfully watched As The World Turns and Guilding Light
Crafts I enjoy doing: Knitting, crocheting, sewing, making jewelry
Things I love to collect: I grew up in Maine, so I am extremely fond of the beach and lighthouses. I feel best when I'm near water. I'm also an Aquarius, so I don't know if that has anything to do with it all. :-)

Beth

SHOW your green, WIN some green

2007-03-15T19:39:00.000-05:00

CLICK HERE to show yours off.

Here's my green!

My poor mother....

2007-03-15T17:36:00.000-05:00

Well, as if she hasn't been through enough in the last month...she now has pneumonia. She's still at home, but she is miserable, and I wish I could be back in Cali with her. I guess moving to CA in the future is an inevitability now.

DD11 has been sick for a bit (she's actually sickly year-round), so I finally took her to an asthma/allergy doctor. NOW I know why she's always sick. She's allergic to grass, cats, and horses (we have a cat); and she has asthma. She'll be using a nebulizer, two inhalers, and two allergy meds for the next two weeks. He wants to see her again to see if things improve so we can reduce the amount of meds. $ CHA-CHING $

Spring Summer 07 TRENDS - click for more info

2007-03-14T15:58:00.000-05:00

According to Pitti Bimbo, here are the following trends we'll be seeing this Spring and Summer...

- SHAPES * Jumpsuits, dungarees and bib & brace tops to shorts and skirts * Puffed volume everywhere, on short skirts, sleeves, halter tops and cropped trousers * Cropped jackets, in denim, leather, cotton drill and jersey

- FABRICS * Laser cuts for edges and patterns on leather and cotton * Lace and broderie anglaise used for decoration * Metallic knits and finishes on fabrics and accessories * Supersoft denim, sometimes distressed and faded

- DETAILS * Butterflies everywhere, printed and as appliques * 60s/70s florals, bi-coloured and Scandinavian inspired * Turn-up double cuffs with jersey linings on shorts, cropped pants, sleeves and skirts

- THEMES * HEAVY ROCK Skull prints, Hell's Angels wings, Gothic lettering and biker jackets. Black as a key colour * PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN Red/white, navy/white stripes, wench dresses, lace trims and overprints, shredded edges * FIFTIES Fresh, clean Happy Days, cotton full skirts, cuffed bomber jackets, strong primaries with white contrasts

Spring Sale - all starting under $10 - CLICK HERE

2007-03-13T18:19:00.000-05:00

I have a lot coming up this Spring, so I want to clear out some items in my sewing room closet. These are NOT irregulars or anything like that. I am just in a Spring cleaning kind of mood. :-)

Beth

I'm back!

2007-03-11T20:26:00.000-05:00

Well, two weeks turned into four; but I'm home now.

Mom had her hip replacement surgery on the 13th, went home but got re-admitted on the 23rd with MRSA, and went back home again on the 2nd. WHEW....

So, now mom is hooked up to IV antibiotics for the next five or so weeks. Continued prayers for her would be MUCH appreciated.

My sister found time in all this to get herself engaged to Mr. Pat Heilman. CONGRATS! He's going to fit in just fine with this family. :-)

In business news, I've got some things coming up very soon; and I'll be super busy preparing for launches and events. Of course, I'll keep you posted.

Beth

I'm thoroughly confused here

2007-02-08T13:36:00.000-06:00

I became aware that someone feels that my blog is too mean, and that I "call people (or groups)" out here.

Now, I did scroll through some of the archives and came up with a few posts that may have been taken as "mean" if you were really reaching.

Here's one that was an article stating the differences between Islam and Christianity.

Here's a post about the drama surrounding the children's boutique world on eBay. No groups or names were named.

Here's one of my blog entries about an article I saw about the German government arranging for and profiting from huge brothels during the World Cup.

Here is an entry where I discuss how hard it can be to be Christian in a Sinful World.

So, my guess is if someone is offended by me "speaking in generalities", of blogging about how I feel on any given day, or any of the like; then it's not my problem but their's.

For those of you who are absolutely clueless about who I am and what I'm about...here is a run-down:

* Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a joy to do business with. I give the utmost attention to each and every one of my customers.
* I NEVER push my beliefs on any of my customers.
* I like to speak my mind, but I try really hard not to hurt someone's feelings. If I think I may, I don't say much. Even if it's someone I don't care for.
* I absolutely feel that my strong beliefs (and not my behavior) causes people pause.
* I don't go to forums, blogs, or chat rooms to belittle or demean people.
* When I have something to say, I don't hide behind an anonymous signiture.
* I am a Christian women who believes in what the Bible states, and there is only ONE way to get to Heaven. Many people are confused about just what that is.
* Yes, I do think there are areas/groups online that are cliquey, childish, and downright mean for absolutely no reason other than their personal enjoyment.
* There are a few people I've come to not care for based on how they conduct themselves online. I still am polite to them, and give them the respect they deserve as another human being. NO WHERE does it say you have to be vicious to people you don't care for.
* I will continue to conduct my business in an honest manner, and I will continue to journal in my blog. I will continue to not bring my religion into a transaction unless a buyer brings it up first (and they have). If all that isn't good enough for someone then I bid them farewell, and good luck with your journey through life.
Beth

California Here I Come....

2007-02-07T13:07:00.000-06:00

California here I come,
Right back where I started from,
Where bowers and flowers bloom in the sun,
Each morning at dawning birdies sing and everything.
A sun kissed miss said "Don't be late."
Thats why I can hardly wait,
So open up those Golden gate California here I COME.

Ok, so I'm from Maine not California; but, I am going to California on Saturday for two weeks. Mom (pictured above with my sister Karyn) is finally going to get her hip done. She had her knee done less than a year ago, but she just can't stand the pain anymore. I can't say I blame her. There are some days where my arthritic hips and knees are just SCREAMING at me. It runs in my mother's side of the family. Darn heredity!

I am finishing up some custom sweater orders (thank you, cold snap!), and working on some sweaters to list for while I'm gone. I won't be home but I will have my new Toshiba laptop with me. Yes, hubby bought me a laptop. I wanted the one with the camera in the top, but this one is super cool too. He even got me the cordless mouse. It's easier to play Solitare with the mouse. :-)

I'm packing up a suitcase with hooks, needles, yarn, and my daughter's looms because I KNOW I won't be able to be without my toys. I can't go a day without them, let alone two weeks.

Hopefully, things will warm up a little here while I'm gone and I can get in my Spring/Summer frame of mind. I still have my sample items to make and get modeled. I can't wait to show you all what I'm going to be doing!

Behave, and take care while I'm "gone"!

This is where I live:

And this is where I’m going to be:

Beth

Take advantage of my huge sale...

2007-02-04T23:32:00.000-06:00

I'm having a reduction sale on my items listed on Etsy, as well as giving shipping deals. I want to clean out old stock to make room for my Spring and Summer items. If they haven't sold by the end of February, I'm removing them to my website.

Now.........go shop!

Beth

HUGE SALE & free shipping

2007-02-01T20:00:00.000-06:00

February 5-12.......MARK YOUR CALENDARS

2007-01-29T09:00:00.000-06:00

is having their NAUTICAL launch February 5-12. We've partnered up with a WONDERFUL photographer and her lovely children for this launch. The following is just a sample of what we will be offering....

Beth

Christian One-Liners

2007-01-28T10:08:00.000-06:00

Don't let your worries get the best of you; remember, Moses started out as a basket case.

Some people are kind, polite, and sweet-spirited until you try to sit in their pews.

Many folks want to serve God, but only as advisors.

It is easier to preach ten sermons than it is to live one.

The good Lord didn't create anything without a purpose, but mosquitoes come close.

When you get to your wit's end, you'll find God lives there.

People are funny; they want the front of the bus, the middle of the road, and the back of the church.

Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your front door forever.

Quit griping about your church; if it was perfect, you couldn't belong.

If the church wants a better pastor, it only needs to pray for the one it has.

God Himself does not propose to judge a man until he is dead. So why should you?

Some minds are like concrete thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.

Peace starts with a smile.

I don't know why some people change churches; what difference does it make which one you stay home from?

A lot of church members who are singing "Standing on the Promises" are just sitting on the premises.

We were called to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges.

Be ye fishers of men. You catch them - He'll clean them.

Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous.

Don't put a question mark where God put a period.

Don't wait for 6 strong men to take you to church.

Forbidden fruits create many jams.

God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

God grades on the cross, not the curve.

God loves everyone, but probably prefers "fruits of the spirit" over "religious nuts!"

God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.

He who angers you, controls you!

If God is your Co-pilot - swap seats!

Don't give God instructions -- just report for duty!

The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us.

The Will of God never takes you to where the Grace of God will not protect you.

We don't change the message, the message changes us.

You can tell how big a person is by what it takes to discourage him.

The best mathematical equation I have ever seen: 1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given.

EtsyKids is having a Valentine's Day Sale

2007-01-23T22:36:00.000-06:00

Click on the title above.

The sale will run 1/29 through 2/8. Each member will offer their own special, so search ETSYKIDS to find the savings. Personally, I am offering FREE shipping within the US, and 1/2 off shippping to Canada.

Beth

Knitting New Year Resolutions

2007-01-19T11:04:00.000-06:00

(This is not my idea, but I stumbled upon it online)

1. Finish Your UFOs

I think every knitter has some kind of UFOs, also known as unfinished objects. Even the most well-meaning knitters can get sidetracked or simply lose interest in a project before it is completed. This year, take stock of all the projects you haven't finished. Some of them probably only need minor work to finish them such as weaving in ends, blocking your knitting or simply doing some knitting up. Make these sorts of projects a priority and see how many of them you can complete before the end of January. Other pieces might take much more work to finish.

Consider each one individually and decide if it is something you really want to finish. If you abandoned the project part way through because you hated the yarn or the pattern, that's not a project you are ever going to want to finish. Bite the bullet and unravel your work. If you like the yarn but hated the project, try a different pattern. Donate the yarn if it was the problem.

If you have unfinished projects that you still want to finish, make an effort to complete them, if possible, before you start any new projects. If you started the project for an occasion that has since passed, find a place to donate the finished item.

2. Use the Yarn in Your Stash
A huge guilty pleasure of knitters is buying yarn without any idea of how or if we might one day use it. This year, make an effort to go through your stash and really evaluate each thing you've purchased:

Do you love it?
Do you have an idea for a project you could make with it?
Do you have enough of it to complete that project?
Is the yarn in good condition?
If you don't love the yarn, donate it to someone who can use it (or sell it on eBay). If you love it but don't know how to use it, check out our free knitting patterns section for some inspiration. You might find a small project you could complete with a tiny quantity of yarn, or come up with a way to work the yarn into a project that uses many different kinds of yarn.

If the yarn is damaged, there's nothing for it but to get rid of it and make room for something else in your stash.

Once you've cleaned out your stash and come up with projects for some of the yarns you are keeping, resolve to make those projects. Either set a goal of one project from the stash every month or vow not to buy any new yarn until you've completed a certain number of projects from the yarn you already have.

3. Start Making Swatches
Most knitters don't like to take the time to knit gauge swatches, yet we all probably have a story involving a project that we should have swatched.

My first pair of socks, for instance, ended up more like slippers because I was sure I could just knit with the size of needles that was recommended in the pattern. They were such small needles, I figured there was no way my knitting wouldn't end up small. I still wear those socks, but often they're put on over other socks!

This year, let's all resolve to try to make more gauge swatches when we embark on difficult or extremely fitted patterns. Notice I didn't say you have to make a gauge swatch for every project, or even that you have to keep them, I just said try to make them on the difficult or big projects you don't want to have to knit twice.

Making resolutions, whether about knitting or anything else, shouldn't be about absolutes. Don't say "I'll never eat ice cream again" or "I'll always make gauge swatches and knit from my stash." With that kind of attitude if you mess up once your resolution is gone. Instead, make a day to day, project to project effort.

4. Learn New Tricks
Every knitter, no matter how skilled, probably has something he or she hasn't tried before. Make this the year you learn that skill you've always wanted to try.

For me, its machine knitting. I'm thrilled by the idea of machine knitting, but I've never gotten around to buying a machine and figuring our how it works. This is the year I do it, and I'm sure I'll be sharing the journey with you.

Whether its felting or cables, colorwork or circular knitting, be willing to move out of your comfort zone this year and try something new. You'll learn great things about yarn, about knitting, and about yourself. Even if it's a disaster, it probably won't be one you regret.

5. Say Thank You
Finally, the greatest New Year's resolution of them all: take some time to thank the person who taught you how to knit. We all had the pleasure of learning this wonderful craft from someone, often a family member or friend. If that person is still alive and you are still in contact with him or her, send a note (not an e-mail if at all possible) telling them what it has meant to you to be able to knit.

If you want, make them something nice to show them how far you've come. They'll love it.

If the person who taught you is not longer living, pay it forward by teaching someone else to knit or helping them with a knitting skill. We are the ones keeping knitting alive. We owe it to those who came before us to ensure there are knitters after us.

Even if you only choose to set one of these resolutions for yourself, I'm sure you'll be glad you did. They'll make you a better knitter, and maybe even a better person. Happy New Year!

decoupage - the art of decorating surfaces by applying cutouts.

2007-01-18T13:50:00.000-06:00

I have jumped on the decoupage/patchwork jeans bandwagon. I LOVE the look, and it's a GREAT way to recycle jeans. This pair is for me, but I would love to create a custom pair just for you.

Fiber artists, gather around...

2007-01-08T12:15:00.000-06:00

I DEFINATELY want to visit this place...

And, this is one of my favorite places to visit in Illinois.

Quick & Easy Crocheted Sweater–fits 3-6 mos

2007-01-05T14:32:00.000-06:00

As part of my knitting/crochet group's community service, we create baby sweaters for the local Crisis Pregnancy Center. I wanted to create something quick and easy, so I came up with this easy pattern. I'm sure there are similiar patterns available, but I wrote this down as I went along so if one exists like it, I'm not aware of it.

With that being said, I'm offering this free pattern for personal use and may be shared and distributed so long as it remains fully intact including this copyright notice, and no profit is made from its distribution or use.

Materials:
2 skeins of 4-ply yarn
H crochet hook (for sweater ties)
N crochet hook (for sweater)

Directions:
With two strands of yarn, using the N hook, chain 28 stitches. Use the 2 strands of yarn throughout EXCEPT for the neck ties.

ROW 1: Single crochet (SC) in 2nd chain stitch from hook, and then in the next 3 chain stitches. SC 3 times in the next chain stitch (corner made).
SC in the next 4 chain stitches. SC 3 times in the next chain stitch (corner made).
SC in the next 8 chain stitches. SC 3 times in the next chain stitch (corner made).
SC in the next 4 chain stitches. SC 3 times in the next chain stitch (corner made).
SC in the next 4 chain stitches. Turn.

ROW 2: Chain 2, and * double crochet (DC) in each stitch until you reach the corner. SC 3 times in the center of the corner. Continue double crocheting until you reach the next corner. And so on. *
Repeat from * to * until you reach the last corner. Complete the corner as you’ve done previously, and then DC to the end. Turn.

ROW 3: Repeat row 2 one more time.

ROW 4: Chain 1, and SC to the first corner. SC in the center of the corner, and then chain 5 stitches. SC in the center of the next corner, and across to the center of the next corner. Chain 5 stitches, and then SC in the center of the next corner. SC to the end. Turn.

ROW 5: Chain 1, and (SC) in each stitch including the two underarm 5 stitches you just made in the previous row, until you reach the end. Turn.

ROWS 6-11: Chain 2, and DC in each stitch to the end. Turn.

ROW 12: Chain 1, and SC in each stitch to the end. Cut yarn, secure, and weave into the sweater.

Sleeves
ROW 1: With the center of the underarm bottom facing you, attach two strands of yarn with a slip stitch through a chain space. Chain 1, SC in same stitch as joining. SC in each stitch around. I got 18 when I made my sample. Join in the top of the first stitch with a slip stitch.

ROW 2: Chain 2, DC in each stitch around. Join in the top of the beginning stitch with a slip stitch.

ROWS 3-6: Repeat row 2.

ROW 7: Chain 1, SC around. Join in the top of the first stitch with a slip stitch. Cut yarn, secure, and weave into the sleeve. Repeat for second sleeve.

Neck Ties
With H hook and a single strand of yarn, chain 30 stitches. Turn.
SC in 2nd stitch from hook and across until you reach the end. When you reach the end, SC in the first chain stitch on the sweater neck, and in each stitch across (approx. 28). When you reach the end, chain 30 stitches, turn, and SC in 2nd stitch from hook and in each across to sweater. Cut yarn, secure/tie it off, and weave it into the neck.

If you find any problems with this pattern, please let me know and I’ll make adjustments. Thanks, Beth

Stylish designs for kids.....

2006-12-27T16:18:00.000-06:00

I'm one of their newest members....

Unto us a SAVIOR is born...

2006-12-24T17:10:00.000-06:00

Luke 2

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David)

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Something new for me....

2006-12-19T17:18:00.000-06:00

Click on the photo to buy your custom doggy sweater vest now.

Beth

Rebirthing....

2006-12-17T19:19:00.000-06:00

Cervical cancer vaccine for sixth graders

2006-12-14T10:03:00.000-06:00

The possibility of getting cancer scares the heck out of me. Is it me, or are things getting scarier?

Beth

Top 10 list on eBay Pulse

2006-12-13T09:42:00.000-06:00

Infants & Toddlers > Custom, Handmade
1. halloween
2. christmas
3. resell
4. boutique
5. overalls
6. costume
7. thanksgiving
8. fall
9. boy
10. dress

Girls > Custom, Handmade
1. halloween
2. boutique
3. christmas
4. costume
5. pageant
6. overalls
7. fall
8. custom
9. dress
10. resell

My gift certificate winners this year

2006-12-12T14:29:00.000-06:00

Click here to join today!

I started giving away $15 gift certificates each month this year. I also give those on the list free shipping! If you haven’t signed up yet, please do so TODAY by clicking on the above link.

Gift certificate winners this year were:
June – Julie R
July – Tanya P
August – Angel-Rae R
September – Ruby D
October – Karyn N
November – Michele D
December - Julie G

Congrats, Julie G, and remember....you must use your gift certificate/prize within three mos of winning it; and it must be on website purchases only.

Thanks!
Beth

Don't panic, but.....

2006-12-11T13:57:00.000-06:00

Islam – a Religion of Peace?

2006-12-06T18:37:00.000-06:00

Islam claims to be a religion that has the answers for society, a religion that offers peace and wholeness. So where should we look for an example of true Islam in practice? Iran? Afghanistan? Pakistan? Libya? Turkey? Egypt? Indonesia? How about Saudi Arabia? While many Muslims may decry the kingdom of Saudi Arabia as corrupt, it is the "keeper of Islam" and the religious center toward which more than one billion Muslims face five times a day as they repeat their prayers. In Saudi Arabia, freedom of religion is nonexistent. It is illegal to read a Bible or vocalize a non-Muslim prayer in the privacy of one's own home.

Under Islamic law, conversion to Christianity by a Saudi citizen is punishable by beheading. We have heard it said by Christian leaders in this country that the Muslims are our brothers. How can this be when one considers the persecution Christians suffer around the world under Islam?

Consider this passage from Qur'an 4:89: "If anyone wants to leave Islam he is to be put to death." No, Islam is a religion of fear and oppression, not peace. The Islamic concept of peace is making the whole world Muslim, which is actually a mandate for war. Islam represents the greatest spiritual threat the world faces today. Arm yourself with truth and pray according to knowledge.

From information submitted anonymously by former Muslims In-Depth Research Online: www.messyjew.org/islam/war.html
Reprinted from JEWISH VOICE TODAY Jan/Feb 2003 pages 4-5

I encourage you to visit http://www.vicmord.com/.
Avi Lipkin, alias Victor Mordecai, has spoken to numerous churches, synagogues and civic groups (including radio and TV appearances). He offers compelling proof that the fanaticism of Islam is the number one threat to world peace today!

Taking it back....

2006-12-04T15:37:00.000-06:00

.....a few years. Little Darlas style!

I'm guesting with eBay boutique group The Little Darlas.

I HAVE to vent....eBay drama

2006-12-01T12:30:00.000-06:00

I may be committing the infamous “eBay boutique suicide” or putting myself on the notorious “eBay blacklist” (if I’m not already there). I half expect to gain enemies. However, I have some things to say.

I have visited several blogs and read some of the posts. I haven’t always known who was being discussed as its most always done in “code”. I guess if I was in the right circles I would have a clue. Maybe it’s a blessing that I’m not, and therefore I don’t.

Within groups of people there is always a hierarchy that exists. There are always those who are readily accepted into the inner circle, and there are those who are left out. There are those who feel like they fight to maintain their position on the totem pole, and there are those who are propelled simply by knowing the right people. Is it right? Is it wrong? Who’s to say? I just know that it simply is what it is. People may deny the existence of such things, but we all know better.

There are some wonderful, beautiful angels on eBay. They would do anything for their online friends…women they have never even met. The generosity I’ve seen in some eBay groups floors me. Hugs to those of you I’m speaking of!

However, there are also women who don’t do anything for you without getting something in return…you scratch my back, and I’ll scratch yours. There are also women who will play both parts when it suits their needs. They can be as hateful as a snake, and then turn around and be kissy-kissy to someone else.

Something that has always bothered me was how some women are practically thrashed for saying what many are thinking but afraid to say; but then others can be tactless, and they are applauded.

I try VERY hard to not pay attention to any ongoing drama. I may read about it, but like a lot of people most times I wouldn’t dare give an opinion in fear of retaliation. Yes, I fear retaliation for simply sharing what’s on my mind. Now isn’t that pathetic that someone should feel that way when she thinks she’s among friends? I already feel my beliefs are an issue to some people. Just because I love God and like some others will at times bring it up, it's not allowed. Why allow the prayer requests then? You can't have it both ways...pick a side.

How do I know that ugly exists in people? Recently I was given a hard time on a blog for advertising for an eBay group I’m in. Did I attack anyone? Did I put anyone down? Absolutely not! However, several women couldn’t help themselves from being rude and adamant about how wrong I was. Funny though, they weren’t so convicted that they could bother to sign their names. And I’m quite sure these women are the same women who are nice to me in other circumstances…like chatting in an eBay group.

I can’t believe the behavior I’ve seen this year from grown women. I’m not saying who is right or who is wrong. People are aware of their own actions, and they know full well if what they are doing and saying is acceptable and/or appropriate. All I’m saying is if you are in the clear, then I applaud you for keeping your wits about you. If, however, you are someone who participates in negativity then CHECK YOURSELF. It’s not that difficult to treat others like you want to be treated. In fact, try being nicer to people than you want in return…pay it forward.

Beth

I wait all year for this!

2006-11-30T20:03:00.000-06:00

It's time for the 25 days of Christmas!

Dec 1-7
Dec 8-14
Dec 15-21
Dec 22-25

Beth

Dealing with loss

2006-11-27T12:41:00.000-06:00

I've suffered a loss recently, and I'm struggling to know how to deal with it. You see, I lost my best friend this weekend. Not by death (thank the Lord above), but by a severing of ties. My heart is breaking. How do I begin to know how to function without this person?

My best friend is sad, frustrated, tired, and feeling hopeless. I can relate. We've both felt this way for so long. Too long. My BF wants time to think....wants space. It's SO hard to give this, as I long to have my BF near me. And I'm afraid that if left alone for too long, my BF will forget everything good about us.

We've let outside events and players determine our worth, our responses, and our feelings. We thought we could fix it on our own. Clearly we can't. I am praying for one more try. One last attempt to fix what we have been unable to do ourselves.

I don't know if it'll work, but I have to try. I just can't give up on us that easily. I know my BF so well, and I know what is wanted is to stop the chaos, not the relationship between us.

My dearest, best friend. I hope you will see this and know that I love you tremendously.

Beth

Whew...the craft show is over!

2006-11-18T15:53:00.000-06:00

I have spent the last several months preparing for the craft show I did today. My sewing room is trashed (I couldn't possibly take valuable crafting time to clean), we've eaten quite a bit of take-out, and the rest of my house needs a good vacuuming.

I am so glad it's over. :-) I enjoyed it, but it's always so much work to prepare, not to mention the stress of wanting everything "right".

I think I'm going to avoid "working" for the next week. It's been since this summer I've just sat around with my kids watching TV....just watching TV without knitting. No fooling.

Here are some photos from the show. I've only done two or three, so I'm still working on my presentation:

My daugther is sitting on the floor, with a fellow crafter preparing her area

Beth

Giving back

2006-11-12T10:11:00.000-06:00

I started a email newsletter a bit ago, and I wanted to give something back to those on the list. So, I started giving away $15 gift certificates each month. I also give those on the list free shipping! If you haven’t signed up yet, please do so TODAY by clicking on the above banner.

Gift certificate winners so far are:
June – Julie R
July – Tanya P
August – Angel-Rae R
September – Ruby D
October – Karyn N
November – Michele D

Beth

A little pick-me-up

2006-11-11T19:14:00.000-06:00

Have you even come across a website that is so "pretty" that you feel better just having viewed it?

I feel that way about the Posie Get's Cozy blog. I LOVE to scroll through her blog and look at the photos of her home and studio. I want to actually visit her.

Don't worry, Alicia, I won't.

Just look at this photo or this one of her shop (which I believe she has now closed).

Ok....I'm going to go finish some knitting now that I have visions of retro chic loveliness in my head.

Beth

Oh my word.........

2006-11-09T16:46:00.000-06:00

I have stumbled upon something so beautiful that I felt compelled to share...

I found these amazing landscape pictorial sweaters, and matching socks. I am a TOTAL lighthouse fiend, and must have those patterns.

And then I found this site that gives directions on making your own knitting needles.

I love it when I stumble upon sites like this during my surfing time.

I've now been inspired to go to my knitting chair....

Beth

Is it just the time of year, or what?

2006-11-02T12:27:00.000-06:00

Do you feel particularly bogged down this time of year? I know I do! I tend to over-do, and put way too much on my plate. I want to do it all, and think I can.

For instance,
* I have a large craft show on November 18
* I am going to knit items to donate to the Christmas In the Schoolhouse Sale for December. GREAT, worthy cause.
* I am participating in the Journal Modiste ornament launch on eBay.
* I am partnering up with two ladies for the Spark Fashions PAIRS launch on eBay.
* I am the leader of the knitting/crochet group at my church.

All this doesn't even include the fact that my three kids are in sports (10, 14, & 15) and there will be days when I literally have to be in three different places at once.

Then there is something I've been thinking heavily about. Thanksgiving. I want to have my family either volunteer to serve dinner on Thanksgiving at a shelter or like facility. OR provide a Thanksgiving meal to a needy family (I'd also want us to do this at Christmas too). I can't decide which one to do though.

This all is too much for me to think about. I need to go get in my knitting chair and knit. My quiet place.

Beth

Do blacklists exist on eBay?

2006-10-20T10:23:00.000-05:00

Is there an eBay blacklist for children’s handcrafted boutique sellers?

I think there is, of sorts. I’m not sure there is a physical list lying around somewhere, but I do think that buyers/sellers talk and sellers are eliminated based on that. I also think there are more than likely some sellers that are eliminated from the potential I-gotta-buy-from-her list based on jealously….”She sews SO much better than I so I need to get rid of the competition”.

I’ve been selling on eBay for six or seven years now, and I’ve seen it all (or at least a lot of it). The cliqués, the backstabbing, the jealousy, the childishness, and definitely even the caring that strangers can have for an individual they have never met. And in that time I have also seen good, basic seamstresses go unnoticed because they don’t know the right people. They lack sales, and they get over-looked because of their lack of sales (poor sales means poor quality to most). I’ve seen it said that if you aren’t breaking even then your work is junk. That is a poor assumption that is completely inaccurate. Just remember, when you ASSUME you are making an A** of U and ME. There is several ways to see such a situation other than the seller doesn’t produce quality.

Personally, eBay is a business for me. I create in order to bring money into my household so that I don’t have to work outside the home. I am a woman that firmly believes that when I made the choice to have children, I also made the choice to stay home and raise them. I didn’t have them to let someone else raise them. They are my responsibility, and my duty as a mother. This is a harried topic that will have to be left for another day however. ;-)

Back to business….I work hard on what I create. I can’t afford the $8+ skeins of yarn just to have the finished product not sell, or paying for to and from shipping so my items can be modeled. I try to arrange my items in such a way that when I photograph them, it will be pleasing to the eye. If someone does not care for the lighting in my photos, does that suddenly reduce the quality of the item made? Absolutely not.

If someone places something on the (clean) floor to be photographed, is their quality poor? I personally know a lady on eBay who has been selling for as long as I have, and until a couple of years ago she didn’t have models…she placed her items on the floor to be photographed. She never rec’d a negative comment about poor quality or poor craftsmanship. BUT then she started using models, and her business sky-rocketed. I’m really thrilled for her, but I’m wondering about how suddenly her creations are seen as somehow better now than say five years ago. She was good all along. You see where I'm going with this.

Now, let’s take me as an example. Like I've stated, I’ve been selling for about 6 or 7 years on eBay now, and I still won’t have consistent sales. I’ve heard tell it’s what I sell, not so much how I make it. My specialty is knit and crochet, and unfortunately there isn’t a big call for it. People have ideas in their heads about what handcrafted knit and crochet items look like……like something dear ol’ granny made years ago. Yes, it most certainly can, but if you take a look on eBay under custom boutique crochet or custom boutique knit you will find items that definitely don’t look like anything your grandmother made.

As for my connections on eBay. I have online friends, but I guess I am not in what is considered the right circles. I love my online friends dearly, but they are not the big-hitting buyers I speak of. They are women who like me are trying to earn a buck on eBay. I have made things for people on eBay just to help get my name out there. They rave about the quality of the item I made and sent to them. They even ask for more - and that’s where it ends. It's frustrating.

I’ve never made more than $50 (and that was once) on a hand knit dress I made a few years ago. Yet, there are sellers who garner anywhere from $100-$300 for a top and appliquéd pants/or twirl skirt. The details on these outfits are amazing, and I have no doubt that many are worth every dime! However, there are some I see that I know were WAY over paid for. Yes, that is only my personal opinion as a woman who has knit/crocheted/sewn for over 30+ yrs, but it’s a common one shared among many on eBay.

Lastly, I’ll end this by saying that I am extremely frustrated with the games that need to be played on eBay just to make a buck. I cherish my customers even if they are few and far between. I am frustrated with the hierarchy that exists, and the sellers that are struggling to make eBay work for them in the children’s boutique community. My hat goes off to my struggling sisters!

"A good name is better than great riches, and loving favour is better than silver and gold." -- Proverbs 22:1

I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold, I'd rather be His than have riches untold;
I'd rather have Jesus than men's applause, I'd rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I'd rather have Jesus than worldwide fame, I'd rather be true to His holy name.

my oldest....

2006-10-07T20:40:00.000-05:00

He is much better than this short video shows, but I'm proud of his skills anyway.

* A closed mouth gathers no feet.
* Why do psychics have to ask you for your name?
* If the #2 pencil is the most popular, why is it still #2?
* The basis of friendship is forgetting what you give and remembering what you receive.
* People cannot change truth, but truth can change people.
* The measure of a man's character is what he would do if he would never be found out.
* Why do banks charge a fee on "insufficient funds" when they know there is not enough?

Drive Clocks

2006-09-20T19:49:00.000-05:00

And as a side note....

Oh my, I must find me some of these!

The Knit Lite - See the tips of your needles -- useful when knitting with dark or fuzzy yarns and invaluable when knitting in a dim location! Color coded, 13 inches in length, needles are turned on and off with a simple twist. Sizes 6, 7, 9, 10, 10.5, 11, 13 and 15!

I'm a busy, busy gal

2006-09-15T17:49:00.000-05:00

I tend to wait until the last minute to start things. Well, actually that's not entirely true. I just assume that it won't take me as long as it usually does, and therefore I get behind.

What I'm talking about is getting ready for the Band Parents Craft Show - November 18 at Normal West High School. I'm not a band parent, but you don't have to be do take part. They'll still take your money and put it to good use.

Part of my problem with getting ready for this show is that I can't seem to narrow down what it is I do. I knit, crochet, and sew; and I tend to want to try to make everything and anything. A touch of ADD maybe? ;-)

For now I have made; handbags and purses, handknit socks, mittens, sweater vests, hats, Christmas tiered skirts, and Christmas shirts for boys. And I won't stop there I'm sure. I'm compelled to do more and more. Somebody stop me - I need direction.

Ebay is PAINFULLY slow for me. Has been for quite awhile. Actually, many sellers are having a time of it. That whole "raising store fees" thing was a fiasco. I was one of the MANY that ended up closing their stores because the fee increase was the straw that broke the camel's back. I wasn't selling much of anything from mine, so why pay more to lose money?

Here's what it up on my calendar for October/November:
Just 4 Babies is a new group for those that sell custom baby items. We are having two launches soon: SNOW BABIES October 1-7. And JINGLE BABIES October 15-21

BDB BGames runs October 30th through Nov 10th.

I am going to be buried in my sewing room until at least the end of November. In time for Thanksgiving....and my Aunt Val who is coming from Maine. Did I mention she's a gourmet cook? I love that woman!

Beth

Some parents may need to chill a little...

2006-08-18T15:58:00.000-05:00

I am a mother of three kids ranging in age from 10 to 15. I am very protective of them, but after reading an article on The Washington Post website (Putting Parents In Their Place: Outside Class) I'm beginning to think I may not be protective enough.

"They are needy, overanxious and sometimes plain pesky -- and schools at every level are trying to find ways to deal with them. No, not students. Parents -- specifically parents of today's "millennial generation" who, many educators are discovering, can't let their kids go."

I can't believe how stressed out some parents make themselves over the smallest issues at school. Little Johnny isn't going to freak out just because he's getting a new teacher, or switching to a different classroom. HE'LL ADJUST!

Yes, there is a lot of homework given, but today's kids NEED to be prepared for the world they are facing. And maybe it's a good thing that they sit at the dining room table doing their spelling homework instead of watching TV, sitting in front of the latest video game, or IMing their buddies.

I'll be honest...there are just way too many whiney parents creating whiney kids. Get a backbone and expect more from your child than you think he/she is capable of. You might surprise yourself.

"Many young adults entering college have the academic skills they will need to succeed but are somewhat lacking in life skills like self-reliance, sharing and conflict resolution,"

I am not suggesting that a parent just set their little ones free to fend for themselves, but rather to learn how to get involved without robbing them of the skills they will need throughout life to succeed and handle the situations that will come their way.

Beth

Chi-town

2006-08-07T22:34:00.000-05:00

We had some friends visit us from Apex, NC this past week. LOVED seeing them! We did SO much including shopping, the county fair, eating, and going into Chicago.

The girls wanted to go to American Girl Place while we were in Chicago. I had a blast with them! It's like a candy store, but stocked with dolls. I didn't intend to buy anything, but we came home with a brand new Bitty Baby which my daughter named Ashley Anne.

We ate at Portillos (my most favorite Chicago eatery), and had the famous cheese fries.

The was going on, so we did that too. Fairs are always a blast for people-watching.

We also went to . We were not able to see the new Beluga calf, but you can read about him on the Shedd website.

We went to the McDonalds in Chicago, and it had escalators in it! This is very different than the McDonalds we have locally.

We thoroughly enjoyed our week, and now I'm back to work to create items for Fall/Winter. I'm going back to my knitting and crochet for the upcoming cooler weather.

Beth

Sales are slow and fees are high

2006-07-30T17:25:00.000-05:00

What’s new in knit/crochet at Jus Shar Designs:

eBay is painfully slow. I'm listing things under $10 and still things aren't moving. I hate to just keep it all in inventory, but I closed my stores due to the huge eBay fee hike recently. Are there really any good alternatives to eBay? I know of Esty and Yahoo, but that's it. If you know of any good ones, let me know.

If you are interested in my work, please let me know that also. I have three kids and a cat to feed. ;-)

Beth

Finally in, but not quite settled

2006-07-18T16:51:00.000-05:00

Well, we are in the new house; but there is still so much to do. I haven't really had time to empty out all the boxes as I'm preparing for the Hudson Prairie Days craft show in Hudson, IL on Saturday. Below is just a smidge of what I'm bringing:

I need to make more boy's items (rompers), tutus, and crochet/knit handbags; but I'm all set for twirl skirts and adult clothing. I still need to go out and purchase two more clothing racks. Rod set up the gazebo this past weekend so we could see 1) how quickly it goes up, and 2) how much room I have inside.

There's all this last-minute stuff I need to tend to, like: making the hang tags, printing out a mailing list for signing, ironing all the clothing, labeling all the clothing, figuring out pricing, etc.

I've still managed to stick to "the diet" during the move and during all this busy-work. To date (since June 23), I've lost 11 lbs and have moved my blood sugar number from 277+ to 135. Yeh to me!

Beth

So much yarn, so little time

2006-06-30T13:39:00.000-05:00

I do NOT like moving. We are moving on the 3rd & 4th. I dislike packing up my sewing/craft room even more.

I have spent about 10 days sorting through yarns (too small, pitch it) Who has this much yarn and not selling it to the consumer? And then there are knitting needles and crochet hooks. How many #8 straight needles does a woman need?

At this point, I have the equivalent of four (4) 32 gallon tubs of yarn. All my knitting needles and crochet hooks are in a Pepe Lopez Tequila box. That really has no significance except that you'd probably have to be drinking tequila to weed through all this stuff.

I am forever printing out patterns I find online that I want to "try someday". I have about three (3) boxes of those.

And, yes, I really did get rid of A LOT of my inventory. That is what's left after two trips to the thrift store and filling the back of my SUV.

I don't understand people who don't knit and/or crochet (I do both). How do you make it through life? How do you deal with daily struggles, and life's little annoyances? I don't drink, I don't smoke, I don't do drugs. How do I do it? I am a needle artist!

Beth

Soccer and Sin

2006-06-20T13:15:00.000-05:00

My eldest DS is really into sports. In fact, he's been watching the World Cup Soccer games with quite a bit of interest.

Imagine my surprise when I am perusing one of my favorite online Christian sites, and I find out that the "German government arranges for and profits from huge brothels."

Say what?

And I quote: "Hundreds of thousands of people have descended on Germany for the World Cup soccer tournament and aside from the usual souvenirs, fans can also buy sex -- with the blessing of the government.

The Germans have brought in thousand of prostitutes for the fans and put them in brothels near the stadium. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice said she is appalled and vows to do something about it.

"The United States is leading a new abolitionist movement to end the sordid trade in human beings," she said.

Doug Sylva, a senior fellow with The Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute, told Family News in Focus that in the interest of making sex "safe," countries are attempting to declare certain behaviors "morality free," even though the consequences can't be nullified.

He added that Germany is profiting off the sex business through taxes.

They're doing everything a pimp does." he said. "For them to have this kind of mentality and ideology means they have to turn the other way to the actual sex slavery that these women are placed under."

He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. Proverbs 28:13

For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. Psalms 1:6

For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man 'unclean.' Mark 7:21-23

Beth

School's out!

2006-05-31T11:28:00.000-05:00

It's the little things that excite me. Like not having to get up bright and early each morning. Although, if your kids are anything like mine they gladly get up at the break of dawn when they don't have to; and beg to sleep in when they know they have to get up.

I have an almost 15 yr old, a 14 yr old, and a 10 yr old. I have no clue what I am going to find for them to do this summer so I won't hear on a daily basis......."I'm bored".

We are moving to another house across town at the end of June, but packing's charms can only hold their attention for so long.

There is a public swim park nearby through parks and rec. It's a fairly nice one too. We'll be getting passes for the water park; however, I am a fear freak when it comes to sun exposure, so I don't want to spend all day in the sun. Sunscreen or not.

I can always hold out for a month or so for the Back-To-School flyers to start showing up in the Sunday paper. ;-)

Guess who my aunt met?

2006-05-30T19:46:00.000-05:00

My Aunt Val (mom's SIL) and her daughter Melanie just got back from a trip to Ireland and Paris. They were celebrating Aunt Val's 65th birthday. I know she won't mind me telling. ;-) Anywho....she sent me pictures of some local she met at The Gravity Bar in Dublin, Ireland.

Looks familiar, doesn't he? Well he should!

Beth

The Truth About Da Vinci

2006-05-10T12:54:00.000-05:00

I stumbled upon the site The Truth About Da Vinci a couple of days ago. I was doing a search to find a site that offered the truths. I'm just sick over the fact that people will read this book, and see the movie, and BELIEVE IT!

I feel responsible to do my part to offer up the truth to people.

Some of what is covered on this website is:

Is Jesus God?
* The lie: "My dear," Teabing declared, "until that moment in history, Jesus was viewed by His followers as a mortal prophet. . . a great and powerful man, but a man nevertheless. A mortal." The Da Vinci Code p. 233
* The truth: The Old Testament requires that God come into the world, as Immanuel (God with us). Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel - Isaiah 7:14.

Was Jesus married?
* The lie: "Jesus was the original feminist. He intended for the future of the church to be in the hands of Mary Magdalene" Sir Leigh Teabing, The Da Vinci Code p.248
* The truth: The Son of God came to earth not to start a family but to save the Church, which is his true bride. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body - Ephesians 5:22-33

Lost Books of the Bible - Are they real?
* The lie: "More than eighty gospels were considered for the New Testament, and yet only a relatively few were chosen." Sir Leigh Teabing, The Da Vinci Code p.231
* The truth: For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen - Revelation 22:18-21

I REALLY want to stress to people that they examine what the Da Vinci code states. I'm undecided if I should read it or not, simply because I don't want to upset myself with those horrid lies. However, if you have read it, or plan to please do yourself a favor and also read a book that counters the topics in The Da Vinci Code. Just so that you have both sides of these theories. There are several books (none of which I have read) on this topic:

ANSWERS TO THE DAVINCI CODE PAMPHLET
CRACKING DAVINCI'S CODE - YOU'VE READ THE FICTION, NOW READ THE FACTS
DAVINCI CODE - FACT OR FICTION
DAVINCI CODEBREAKER
DAVINCI DECEPTION
TRUTH BEHIND THE DAVINCI CODE

Beth

Being Christian in a Sinful World

2006-04-18T13:15:00.000-05:00

I was recently reading a "discussion" about a movie, and it soon occurred to me that when anyone mentioned the sin in the movie; some people took great offense. In other words, you can talk about most anything you like, but don't you dare bring up religion. Why not? Why does this one thing offend so many?

No one should become a follower of Jesus Christ without first counting the high cost of doing so. Being an authentic Christian demands a willingness to pay the price. We need to encourage people to consider what Christ asks of them since it is costly. Part of that cost is having things we know are unacceptable become perfectly acceptable in today's society. Unfortunately, I don't live in a cultural vacuum, so other's (generally the majority) opinions and ways of life are forced upon me.

I have to listen to cussing in public, I have to inhale second-hand smoke, I have to listen to someone else's music blarring from their vehicle, I have to see people barely covered with clothing, and the list goes on and on. I have to say that one of my biggest pet peeves are those who wear crosses around their necks, and may even wish you a "God Bless"; but knowingly continue to carry on in a very sinful way in their daily life. Do they honestly think that attending church on Sunday will negate everything they did wrong the week before?

Or how about those that attend services on Christmas and Easter. Why even bother going on those two days? If you feel it's important enough to go then, why not have your bottom squarely planted in a pew each and every weekend? Do you honestly think God doesn't know what you are really up to? He knows who really has given their life to Him, and those who are trying to "buy" their way into Heaven with good works.

Works are "good" only when:
They come from the love of God. If you don't believe in or love God then it's not good works. Also, good works take into account glorifying God as their objective, and what God wants from us as their guide.

It makes me sad to see people justify what is plainly and clearly against what the Bible teaches. No, it's not ok to be open-minded and free-spirited IF it goes against what the Bible teaches. There are many different religions and beliefs but the Bible is the one and only. Period. No, that isn't just my opinion. It is the truth. Those who don't believe in God and put their life in His hands will find out on judgement day just what the truth is. Unfortunately, for many it'll be too late.

God say's He is disgusted by the prayers, sacrifices and "good works" of those who do not first place their faith in Jesus Christ for their salvation. For those who refuse, God tells us that He also will not hear their prayers. Do you see that? God even says plainly that you MUST do as the Bible says.

Christians should avoid giving any praise to the non-believer's ways. Avoid participating in their efforts to spread false doctrines. However, Christians must still do their part to help non-believers see the truth.

Today's world-wide tolerance movement is a great help to Satan. Most people who subscribe to these anti-Biblical beliefs are damning themselves to an eternity in Hell. They have accepted Satan's lie that the absolute truths of the Bible should be replaced by modern day relativism.

If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds - 2 John 1:10-11

He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth - Luke 11:23

Tolerance promotes the idea that everyone's beliefs are equal, and that we should be accepting of all other beliefs. However, God wants for us to take a stand against anything that contradicts His Holy Word in the Bible. Consider this the next time someone tells you you're wrongly "judging" others by taking a stand against their false religion, behavior, etc:

Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that [were] on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD - Joshua 24:14-15

Does Prayer Heal?

2006-04-06T22:10:00.000-05:00

"Study fails to show healing power of prayer"

I knew I wasn't going to be happy with the article just by reading the title.

Now, I don't think that just because you pray that the individual being prayed for will be healed or cured. God's Will comes first WAY before what we desire to be the end result. If God doesn't want healing, then it's not going to happen, folks!

Was this study of over 1,800 bypass patients created just to "set God up"? I don't know about God, but if I knew science geeks were setting me up to "test" me, I might just not cooperate according to their plans either. The audacity to assume God should perform for them and their study! "Our study was never intended to address the existence of God or the presence or absence of intelligent design in the universe" claims one of the authors....a reverand. I'm going to let that one rest right there.

They can do all the studies they want, but I personally know that people have been healed after prayer. I also know people who continued to get sicker and even pass on despite prayer. Did God only listen to certain people? NO. It's all God's Will who will be sick, get better, or pass away. Why can't people get that? Why do people think that they have the power to change what God has planned for each and every one of us?

So, "why bother to pray" I can hear some of you thinking. When you pray you are communicating with God. God desires your fellowship. He wants you to spend time with Him. Whether or not the one you pray for is healed or helped, you are healing yourself in a sense. You are renewing yourself mentally, and emotionally by bonding with God. Praying strengthens our dependence on God. Prayer helps us to remember that we can do nothing without Him because HE IS IN CONTROL.

Do you need to know whom you are praying for? NO. Despite what the study states - one possible limitation to their study was that those doing the special praying had no connection or acquaintance with the subjects of their prayer. God knows every hair on your head (And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered - Matt 10:30), and knows each and every person needing prayer whether you personally know them or not.

This statement gives me some hope: "Private or family prayer is widely believed to influence recovery from illness, and the results of this study do not challenge this belief," the report concluded.

The unbelieving world has SO much to learn....

Forgive and forget, or just forget

2006-04-01T15:23:00.000-06:00

I just read an online friend’s blog, and I have to admit that I’m guilty.

I’m guilty of wanting my children to be surrounded by fellow Christians, and to avoid anyone who disagrees with what we believe or are down-right antagonistic about it.

UNFORTUNATELY, we have a family member who fits into those latter two categories. So what do you do?

My husband and I have taken two different mindsets concerning this. 1) we simply write them off, and wish them the best with the rest of their lives; or 2) we tell them we will continue to pray for them, but we believe strongly that the Christian way is the only way and if they continue to dismiss our ideals (mainly in front of the children) then any hope for future contact will be null and void. Personally, at this point, I’m at option #1 with prayer thrown in.

You see, there is a member or two in my husband’s family who for whatever reason is very against formed religion. Of any type from what I can tell. What concerns me is the reaction I see from this person whenever God, Jesus, or religion is mentioned. It’s as though I was punching this person in the gut. I’ve seen grimacing even. And may I be so bold as to say I believe I have seen Satan in this person’s eyes.

We don't avoid sinners....goodness, we are ALL sinners. I'm talking about someone who probably doesn't believe there is even a God. This person believes good acts will get you to the "next life". Definately NOT what we believe.

I believe this person is chock-full of a lifetime of sadness and resentment. Can’t really “prove” my theory, but this individual never seems truly happy. Sure, they go through the motions, is cordial, and to outsiders would appear a’ok; but after spending some time with this person you would see that there is a deep sadness…anger even.

This is a person with children. I believe they love their children, but it’s certainly not the kind of love I have for my children. Hugging this person is no different than hugging a stranger you’ve just met. I feel/see no love between them and their children. I believe this has had permanent repercussions because of it.

So, let’s get back to what to do with an antagonistic non-believing family member. I don’t have the answer. I’m seeking almost daily to find the answer to this one. My children want nothing more to do with this person. I’m basically there myself. My husband, who retreats from confrontation, is eternally hopeful. Do we chance it, and have our children exposed to things we find unacceptable; or do we expose them to this person and continue make explanations to our children?

I continue to pray about this………

What would your mother think?

2006-03-25T01:10:00.000-06:00

Tonight, we went to a local Chinese restaurant buffet for supper. I was craving sushi. ;-)

After we were seated and the waitress took our drink orders, I started to over-hear the table near us. Three men and a young lady. Their conversation involved pornography and sexual deviasions. And just to add insult to injury, their conversation was generously sprinkled with vulgar cursing.

As distasteful as I found their language and topics of conversation, I could have left well enough alone except that we could clearly hear every single word they were saying. I didn't care to have my rights infringed upon, nor did I want my children to hear this filth.

After 10-15 minutes or so, my husband got up and went over and politely asked them to please lower their voices as we were trying to enjoy a night out as a family. As my husband walked away and went up for his second plate, they were discussing their rights to speak as they wish, how they wish.

I then spoke up and explained that their rights ended where it infringed upon mine, and that what they were saying was no way to speak in front of a lady (the one seated with them). I added, "If you feel that kind of talk is acceptable, then you must not have been brought up right".

At that, one of the "gentlemen" took great offense to that statement and explained that if his mother was there, she would slap me. If that is indeed the case, then I can clearly see where he gets his socially unacceptable behavior from.

They chose to leave the establishment, and to leave the other people in peace. It still left a sick feeling in my stomach that this kind of behavior would seem totally acceptable to someone let alone in a public place.

Whose fault is it? Society.....parents.....peers?

Personally, I feel it is my responsibility to instill in my children what is acceptable behavior AND words. Whether at home or in public. And yes, when children (even grown) act such as these four did, I place some blame with their parents.

We can't control our children's each and every move, but you can't tell me that people that act as these four were acting had parents that instilled in them that this kind of behavior is never acceptable. At least the people in my circle of friends would never find this acceptable. Ever.

Proverbs 22:6 - Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

The spiritual discipline of "Sir" and "Ma'am"

2006-02-22T20:03:00.000-06:00

I read this, and HAD to share. Enjoy! Beth

By Russell D. Moore

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP)--When one of my sons responded recently to a grown woman with a "yeah," he received discipline from his father. It was a lesson passed down through the generations, because I received the same discipline. One responded to a grown man with a "yes sir" and to a grown woman with a "yes ma'am." I grew up in an intentionally undignified Sandy Creek tradition Baptist church. We sang "Count Your Many Blessings," not "The Lord Is in His Holy Temple." Still, our pastor was "Brother Naron." If we had called him by his first name, we would have walked a familiar path to the switch tree.

This may be chalked up to Southern culture, and indeed it is rooted in old patterns of Southern manners. But what if Southern sensibilities about terms of address were rooted in something older yet?

Steve Hutchens, my fellow editor at Touchstone magazine, has raised on the magazine's website the issue of manners and terms of address. He rightly contrasts the modern egalitarian ideal with a Christian view that goes far beyond manners.

"As Christians we are bound to give honor to those to whom honor is due, which includes the honor due everyone as made in the image of God (it is why we should both execute murderers and treat them humanely; it is why we treat unborn children as whole people), and then also of the 'office' he or she bears, beginning with 'Father' and 'Mother,'" Hutchens writes. "This is why, I suspect, the various leveling movements in the history of the church have attracted only minorities, and have been very susceptible to heresy. Refusal to recognize the hierarchies placed in the world by its Maker, after his own image, is a recipe for not only theological but cultural disaster."

Could such words sound any more alien to contemporary American culture, even conservative evangelical culture?

I sometimes still feel strange and rude calling my mentor, teacher and president Albert Mohler by his first name, even though I'm now his vice president rather than his research assistant and student. And yet, I'm amazed at how many Gen Y Southern Baptists speak about "Al" or "Paige" (although, remarkably, should any of the men referenced actually be present, such familiarity predictably reverts back to "Dr. Mohler" or "Dr. Patterson" or what have you).

Terms of address can be overdone, of course. Jesus counsels against those who insist on elaborate recognitions in public places (Mat 23:1-7). He insists we recognize that our ultimate "father" and "Rabbi" (Matt 23:8-11) is not human but divine in the same way no one is anything but relatively good (Matt 19:17). But Jesus also recognized authority and even hierarchy in the choosing of the foundation stones of his temple, apostles whose authority was recognized by the church, and is still recognized as we listen to the Spirit through the Holy Scriptures they were inspired to write.

The problem with teaching honor through terms of address comes down to the fact that many people believe the issue is personal. When I tell my boys to say hello to "Mr. Smith," Smith will often respond by saying, "Oh, it is fine for him to call me John." Well, no, it really is not fine, because the issue is not what they call Smith.

The issue is instead that I want them to understand respect for elders and honor for authority. I want them to understand this not so John Smith will feel honored or respected or anything else. I want them to do so for the same reason they call me "Dad" and not "Russell D." I want them to do so that ultimately they will understand and follow a Lord and a King.

Yes, I realize I'm probably a bit hyper-scrupulous about this. Mississippi mores are not easily overcome. But I want to raise three young men who are able to look King Jesus in the eye, and then bow before him on the Day of Judgment. I want them to understand the goodness of hierarchy when hierarchy is good. I want to see our Lord Christ ask them if they wish to enter into a new creation which is not an egalitarian democracy but a glorious monarchy.

And I want to hear them say "Yes sir."

2 Timothy 4:1-8

2006-02-03T16:46:00.000-06:00

I was thinking of my departed Grampy Williams today.

Probably because I was working on my new business (within my current business), jus_shar_designs. It is named after my grampy and my mom. Two people I have a deep, overwhelming love for.

And then I started thinking about the eulogy I gave at grampy's funeral. It was one of the HARDEST things I have ever had to do, but I felt I had to. I had to speak about this very special man in my life.

One of the scripture verses I used in it was from 2 Timothy 4:

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

In remembering and rereading that I was driven to look up all of 2 Timothy 4, and I was amazed at just how pertinent it is in my life today! It grabbed hold of me and brought me here to share it with you all. I hope you get as much out of it as I have today!

God bless each of you,

Beth

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge:

Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.

For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.

They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Coretta Scott King

2006-02-01T09:05:00.000-06:00

ATLANTA (BP)—Coretta Scott King was “a remarkable and courageous woman, and a great civil rights leader ... [who] carried on the legacy of her husband, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” President Bush said after news of her death Jan. 31.

“Mrs. King’s lasting contributions to freedom and equality have made America a better and more compassionate nation,” the president said.

King, 78, died at a health center in Mexico, 16 miles south of San Diego, that treats diseases considered beyond the help of traditional medicine, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. She was found dead by her daughter Bernice in the early morning hours of Jan. 31, family friend and former United Nations ambassador Andrew Young told the newspaper.

King suffered a major stroke and heart attack last August that had impaired her speech and right side. Several months earlier, the Atlanta paper reported, she had been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, which causes the heart to quiver instead of beat regularly.

King, an Alabama native, met her future husband in 1952 when she was studying voice on a scholarship at the New England Conservatory of Music and he was working on a Ph.D. at Boston University. They were wed the following year and returned to her native state in 1954 when he became pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery -– the city from which he would rise to prominence in the struggle for civil rights.

King and her four children frequently endured the upheaval sparked by her husband’s civil rights advocacy, first in 1956, during the Montgomery bus boycott, when she and her two-month-old daughter Yolanda escaped injury when a dynamite bomb was thrown onto their porch and exploded.

40 years ago

2006-01-21T23:20:00.000-06:00

40 years ago on January 22, 1966 in Fort Lee, Virginia a baby girl was born to a young military couple (Charles & Sharon).

Turning 40 isn't so much a problem in itself. It's more of the baggage that goes along with it. The creaky joints, the "silver" hairs, the wrinkles, and teenage kids.

I turned to my Bible for scripture to put this life event into perspective:

Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God

1 Peter 5:6-7
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

1 Corinthians 13:11-12
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

Romans 12:18
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

That's about it for now. I have about 15 minutes left to be 39....think I'll hit the hay. ;-)

Beth